This is not your fathers' wimpy merlot. Brite, almost opaque ruby in the glass. Loads of berries (black, blue and boysen) with some sweet spice, violets and vanilla bean notes. All come over on the palate along with a light smokey complexity. Dense and concentrated. Solid entry, weighty center, and a 4+ lapper finish. Enough velevety tannins to carry this lovely 6-8. 91/91. 32 by the box. Didn't get the alc as we drank this at our local pushers Thurs for lunch. Thot BigRedWines was gonna do the honors but as usual he plead "bad writer syndrome". WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]( Both of us ordered a box.)

Had one of these last night with a National Hebrew hot dog and some Cougar Gold cheese.What a lovely pairing.WW I forgot how good this merlot is.This is one of the biggest merlots from start to finish . Your notes are right on.If any of you have an opportunuty to pick this up --run don't walk. I kicked the score to 92/92 4 lapper finish and 6-8 on aging. favorite merlot producers Duckhorn,Pride and of course Provenance

Opened another yesterday again with the wild Alaskan Salmon with the chimmichurra sauce. Forgot I had the same pairing back in Feb but it sure works. No change in scoring. WW ( by the by alc is 14.5% )

Opened another last nite with Chile-Lime Chicken burgers patties from Trader Joes accompanied by fresh spinach with Italian style tomatoes. Nose has improved enough to kick this sucker up a pernt to 91. Still hopping merrily down the grapey trail and shows no signs of slowing. Lovely merlot. WW